Derby County Women Club Captain Hannah Ward has been named as the club's PFA Community Champion for the 2023/24 season.
Ward is the longest-serving member of the Women’s squad and offers a vast amount of experience both on and off the pitch.
She reached the impressive milestone of 300 competitive appearances for the Ewes earlier in the campaign and was a key member of Sam Griffiths’ FA Women’s National League Plate winning squad last month.
In total, the versatile defender played 24 times in all competitions over the course of the season and scored once.
Ward was initially part of the Derby County Ladies FC Centre of Excellence, as it was known at the time, and joined the club at the age of 12 in the 2005/06 season.
She took on the role of Club Captain ahead of the 2023/24 campaign after previously being Team Captain, while she also increased her involvement with the club by being named as Derby’s first-ever female Club Ambassador in August 2023.
While Ward has played an integral role on the pitch, she has also done so off the field both in the last year and throughout her time with Derby County.
Her presence at community events has always been impactful and she regularly puts herself forward for appearances, notably attending the club’s Kit 4 Kids and Her Game Too activations, in addition to Golden Rams events, and taking part in various media interviews and kit photoshoots.
As a player to have come through the ranks and been part of Derby County for the best part of 18 years, she acts as an inspiration and role model for many local youngsters looking to begin their own football journey.
Ward was presented with the accolade at the Derby County Women Female Talent Pathway (FTP) End of Season Awards event at Pride Park Stadium on Thursday evening.
